vauxhall astra 2002 - battery problems

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Mon 9 Jul 2012 18:40
vauxhall astra 2002 - battery problems - j49

hi, can anyone help,just started haveing problems with what i think is the battery.i took a trip to the tip yesterday & after getting back in the car there was no power,so ihad to jump start & everything fine untill my next destination about 5 miles & then the same again.had to jump start.i manged to get home & charge up the battery & make a short trip and back home & switch the ignition off & restart battery flat again,so charged up battery again & left over night & try again in the morning & it started up fine.so any help where to start would be great,looking in the haynes manual it says about the sealed battery indicator & says if its on black then it should be charged,is charging now but cant seem to get it on to green,i have no warning lights comeing on dashboard about fault with battery or alternator .thanks & look forward to some help.

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Mon 9 Jul 2012 18:56
vauxhall astra 2002 - battery problems - RT

The "magic eye" indicators on sealed batteries are unreliable at best and useless at worst.

Have you noticed any problem with the power steering at the same time, like very heavy compared to normal? If you have, then it's the alternator failed. If you haven't then it's more likely to be the battery - if it's the original it's 10 years old and way overdue for replacement.

If you can get the car to an auto electrician, they can check properly.

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Mon 9 Jul 2012 19:11
vauxhall astra 2002 - battery problems - j49
ok,no problems with the power steering at all,is there any other way i can check the battery? whats voltage should be coming from it? ,thanks mate
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Mon 9 Jul 2012 19:26
vauxhall astra 2002 - battery problems - RT

The voltage across the battery terminals should be 14.4v with the engine running.

After It's stood for an hour, the voltage should be 12.0-12.7 - BUT - that range gives an indication of battery % charged from 0% to 100%.

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Mon 9 Jul 2012 19:53
vauxhall astra 2002 - battery problems - j49

ok,thanks,reading on battery was 12.7 but has dropped now to 12.5 in under 3 mins,with the engine not running & nothing power wise on in the car.should i take it for a run & hope for the best?

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Mon 9 Jul 2012 20:18
vauxhall astra 2002 - battery problems - sandy56

A battery test under load is quick and easy and any local garage should be able to do it.

The battery has failed- or it is not being charged. It takes quite a few miles to fully charge a low battery.

Get it checked or you might find yourself completely stranded.

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If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?